Griot African-American Book Discussion

Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison

We feature books by African-American authors and meet for discussion in person and virtually via Zoom on the third Tuesday of the month. February's selection: Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison.

Attend in person or virtually via Zoom. Print copies of the book are available for checkout at the Eola Road Branch Reference Desk or Santori Library, 3rd floor. Email group facilitator Becky Clark at rclark@aurorapubliclibrary.org for more information.  Note: Griot Book Discussion will meet temporarily at Santori Library during Eola Road Branch renovations.

Join us virtually here.

Book description:

Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison (with an introduction by Zadie Smith)

In this 1983 short story—the only short story Morrison ever wrote—we meet Twyla and Roberta, who have known each other since they were eight years old and spent four months together as roommates in St. Bonaventure shelter. Inseparable then, they lose touch as they grow older, only later to find each other again at a diner, a grocery store, and again at a protest. Seemingly at opposite ends of every problem, and at each other's throats each time they meet, the two women still cannot deny the deep bond their shared experience has forged between them. Another work of genius by this masterly writer, Recitatif keeps Twyla's and Roberta's races ambiguous throughout the story. Morrison herself described Recitatif, a story which will keep readers thinking and discussing for years to come, as "an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial." We know that one is white and one is Black, but which is which? And who is right about the race of the woman the girls tormented at the orphanage? A remarkable look into what keeps us together and what keeps us apart, and how perceptions are made tangible by reality, Recitatif is a gift to readers in these changing times. (publisher description)

I acknowledge my participation (or my child’s participation) in this virtual program includes the recording of this program which may include my name as listed on my account, images and/or video footage. I grant the Aurora Public Library District my permission to use the photographs and/or video footage for any legal use, including but not limited to: publicity, copyright purposes, illustration, advertising, and web content.  
 
Furthermore, I understand that no royalty, fee or other compensation shall become payable to me by reason of such use.

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